Hugo. Adapted from a graphic novel that tells a "historical fiction" tale, it's a charming story about fixing broken people. The film manages a surrealistic air, replete with mystery, tragedy and even a whiff of young romance. If you know about the history of film, then there are some added treats, but the film makes perfect sense without them. The homage to the art of story-telling and cinema works as a wonderful theme, too.

It got a lot of attention at Oscar time, and it deserved it. The direction was excellent (with the kids coming across quite well), and the adult actors of incredibly different pedigrees take their larger-than-life roles up without pushing them over-the-top.

(It doubles for The Hobbit, too!)
“If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.” - A. P. Chekhov, Gurlyand's Reminiscences, and who knew why the Dog was long before the Shack!